IMS is an industry-led, international
research and development (R&D) program established to develop the next
generation of manufacturing and processing technologies.

The joint-stock company CEZ is a Czech electricity company. It was founded on May 6, 1992 by the National
Property fund of the Czech Republic as one of the new entities formed after the breakup of the former state-owned Czech Power Works.
CEZ produces over three quarters of the electricity in the Czech Republic. It operates ten fossil power stations, thirteen hydro power stations, one nuclear power
station, three wind power stations, and one solar power station. One nuclear power station is presently under construction.
The Company also owns and operates the 220 and 400 kV high-voltage transmission grid. It does not distribute electricity directly to its final consumers, with the
exception of certain large industrial customers in the Czech Republic. Most of its production is sold to eight regional electricity companies. The Company also
realize import and export of the electricity. In addition, produces a minor portion of district heating.
CEZ strives to produce electricity in an economical and environmentally responsible manner.

Competitive and Sustainable Growth is one of
the four thematic programmes of the Fifth RTD Framework Programme (1998-2002).

The Westinghouse Electric Company provides fuel,
services, technology and equipment to utility and industrial customers in
the worldwide commercial nuclear electric power industry.
Westinghouse has a long-standing commitment to excellence in commercial
nuclear reactor technology. Our primary goal is to help our customers produce
safe, low-cost, reliable, and environmentally sound electricity by enhancing
plant safety, availability and reliability, and by reducing operation and
maintenance costs.
Today, nearly 40 percent of the nuclear power plants in operation worldwide
and nearly 50 percent in the United States use Westinghouse technology.
We continue to pioneer value-added engineering and services that create
success for our customers in their increasingly demanding markets.

ASCOM's competences are key technologies
geared to solutions for enabling e-business. In their R&D competence
centres they are focusing on technologies of major importance for the future
market offerings. Since e-business covers a wide range of applications,
the requisite core competences must be just as broad-based. Ascom is an
European company based in Switzerland and is active in the segments Telecommunications,
Service Automation and Energy Systems. The key markets are Europe, North
America and Asia. Ascom has a workforce of more than 11,000 employees, Revenue:
CHF 3 billion in 1999

About Corporate Industrial Design :
Ascom Corporate Industrial Design works as an inhouse group as well as for
various external clients. Areas are Industrial design of consumer and investment
goods, interface design and design management. To date our work has received
35 international awards and recognition.

Philosophy of Corporate Industrial Design :
In design we set out on the tightrope between simplicity and complexity,
between harmony and contrast, between tradition and experiment. The device
should clearly communicate how it is used and for what. High-tech products
fulfil their function on a daily basis. If they also offer a high ergonomic
and aesthetic quality, they create comfortable emotional experiences. They
become a part of one's personal life.